Dr. Mary Elizabeth Higgins honored as Physician of the Year

CAMP HILL – Mary Elizabeth Higgins, MD, Holy Spirit OB/GYN–A Geisinger Affiliate, was honored as Holy Spirit’s 2015 Physician of the Year. She was presented with the award at The Nurse/Physician Collaboration breakfast honoring physicians on National Doctor’s Day on March 30.

“Each day we hear from patients and family members how blessed Holy Spirit Hospital is to have a medical staff that is dedicated to its patients, the community and the hospital,” said Lisa Lewis, Chief Nursing Officer, Holy Spirit Hospital. “The Nurse/Physician Collaboration Team looks to recognize physicians each year on Doctor’s Day. The selection process is not intended to be a contest, but a way to recognize outstanding efforts.”

Dr. Higgins was described by one of her nominators as “always pleasant and respectful to patients and staff, listening to what the nurses and patients each have to say and working with them to find the best solutions.” Nominations state that Dr. Higgins is an excellent teacher and shares her knowledge with colleagues and staff to assure the very best care. With a kind and gentle bed side manner, Dr. Higgins makes rounds on patients in a timely manner, promotes patient satisfaction, is thorough with bedside assessments and prompt discharge orders to get the families ready to go home.

As a physician leader of Holy Spirit’s OB Performance Improvement Team, Dr. Higgins has been instrumental in developing policies, setting high physician and patient care practice standards, and assuring The Birthplace is at the forefront with mother/baby care delivery. Her colleagues in The Birthplace at Holy Spirit look to her as an expert and describe her as being very respectful of their recommendations in the care of patients.